It seems impossible with health costs increasing steadily. However, five simple questions can help anyone cut their health care expenses while improving care.
According to surveys, health care costs have risen by 6 percent per year. This applies to both those with high deductibles and the uninsured. Consumers are realizing that the right care can make a huge difference in their bills.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), an unnecessary visit to the emergency department can cost eight times more than a visit to the doctor’s offices. Nearly half of all emergency room visits are unnecessary, according to research. Patients could have been treated in a doctor’s clinic. Blue Cross Blue Shield reports that an average charge to the emergency room is $1024. The average charge at an emergency room is $194, while it drops to $140 at a doctor’s office.
Experts agree that informed patients can save time and money by making better decisions. It can be difficult to decide where and when to seek care. “Ideally, you want to select the most inexpensive location that is also qualified to treat your problems,”Dr. Stephen J. Schueler MD is an emergency room specialist.
These are the five questions to ask before you go to a doctor for an injury or illness.
What could be causing your symptoms
– Is it an emergency?
– Are you able to solve the problem on your own?
What type of treatment is needed?
What care facility is best?
These important questions can now be answered for free on a new Web site. FreeMD.com allows consumers to visit a virtual doctor who will ask questions and help pinpoint the problem. FreeMD provides information about the treatment required and where to find it. This includes whether you need to go to an urgent care centre, an emergency room or your doctor’s office. FreeMD offers instructions on how to fix a problem at-home when possible.
FreeMD’s technology has enabled nurses in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to decide where to send their patients for care.
The pace of life today is rapid. People can check their kids’ soccer scores on the phone, while also sending emails to work with the help of digital technology. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can expect the same conveniences from all services and businesses except their insurance companies. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.
It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.
Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Employers are being forced to take cost-saving measures due to rising health care costs, which is putting even more financial pressure on employees.
* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.
* Increasing employees’ share of premium.
* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.
Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to offer fast service because they have better technology and an understanding of today’s consumer needs. This is one example. AflacIt is almost rare for insurance companies to offer policies that include claims processing, approval, and payment in a single day.
In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It’s a necessity. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.
Aflac’s One Day Pay Promise can be found at aflac.com/onedaypay.
